MICHAEL D. MASE of Sherman was among eight people arrested last week on federal steroid and prescription narcotic distribution charges, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Connecticut said in a press release Monday.
The arrests culminated a long-term investigation, dubbed “Operation Juice Box,” into steroid and prescription pill distribution by several individuals, including Santucci, a Newtown police dispatcher and a Connecticut Judicial Marshal, said Tom Carson, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Justice.
The suspects imported steroids from China, and the suspects were under wire and electronic surveillance for almost two months according to today’s press release.
The arrests took place last Wednesday and Thursday by the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations.
The following suspects were charged with conspiracy to distribute, and distribution of, various controlled substances, including steroids and oxycodone:
MICHAEL D. MASE, 32, of Sherman,
STEVEN SANTUCCI, 38, of Waterbury, and a Sergeant with the Newtown Police Department,
JASON CHICKOS, 46, of Bridgeport, and a civilian dispatcher with the Newtown Police Department,
JEFFREY GENTILE, 33, of Ansonia, and a Judicial Marshal with the State of Connecticut,
ALEX KENYHERCZ, 28, of Ansonia,
MARK BERTANZA, 33, of Shelton,
FRANK PECORA, 53, of Derby,
STEVEN FERNANDES, 54, of Southington
Seized during the investigation, were hundreds of vials of steroids, about 600 grams of raw testosterone powder, about 350 grams of powder cocaine, and four long guns.
